Steel Alloy 50-CD vs Alloy 50-FH
Steel · Alloy 50 temper comparison
Alloy 50-CD and Alloy 50-FH are two conditions of the same steel grade, Alloy 50: CD (cold drawn) versus FH (full hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Alloy 50-FH is the stronger of the two: yield strength 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) for Alloy 50-CD, about 36% more; tensile strength follows at 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). In exchange, Alloy 50-CD is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 4% for Alloy 50-FH, and Alloy 50-FH is harder (255 HB vs 205 HB). Alloy 50-CD runs hotter in service (300°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, Alloy 50-CD welds better (very good vs good).
Alloy 50-CDChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Alloy 50-FHChoose it when strength drives the design.
Alloy 50-CD vs Alloy 50-FH: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 62 GPa9 Msi · Bulk Modulus 145 GPa21 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8.25 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14.5 W/m·K8.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 9.6 µm/m·K5.3 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 275 J/g118 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.8 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 4.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m18.1 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.35 V · Corrosion Resistance 30 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Machinability 40 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 40% · Brazeability / Solderability 70 / 100 · Polishability 65 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 90 MJ/kg38,693 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 7 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Alloy 50-CD vs Alloy 50-FH — frequently asked
Is Alloy 50-FH stronger than Alloy 50-CD?
Yes. Alloy 50-FH has a typical yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) for Alloy 50-CD — about 36% more. Tensile strength is 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or FH?
ANN is the default Alloy 50 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither CD nor FH). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which welds better, Alloy 50-CD or Alloy 50-FH?
Alloy 50-CD. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against good (60/100) for Alloy 50-FH.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 50-CD and Alloy 50-FH side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.